Resurrection Day Greetings!

April 01, 2018: SOAP #3041: Judges 11-12; Psalm 50; 2Corinthians 1

Scripture:  2Corinthians (NIV) 1:8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

Observation:   Paul here mentions a very tough time he had endured in the province of Asia.  Paul, and those with him were pushed beyond their physical endurance.  Emotionally they felt hopeless.

As Paul looks back at that time, he recognizes that God allowed them to be pushed beyond their endurance for them to rely on God.  Yes, God could have made it easier for them.  And yes, God could bring them through even this level of trouble.

Application:   How do I learn to rely on God rather than myself?  I learn as I experience things that are too difficult for me, beyond my strength, and require more time and money than I have.  When I am pressured beyond my ability to endure, there is no other place to go but to God!

When I go to God, I discover that He is both willing and able to help me!   As God spoke to me today from Psalm 50:14 Sacrifice thank-offerings to God, fulfil your vows to the Most High, 15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, thank you for reaffirming your faithfulness to deliver me in pressure times.  Depending on you is always better than depending on myself!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

March 31, 2018: SOAP #3040: Judges 9-10; Psalm 49; 1Corinthians 16

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 16:17 I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. 18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.

Observation:   In Paul’s day, there was no telegraph, telephone, facebook, or internet.  Mail had to be hand carried by a friend on foot, or on a ship sailing on the wind or currents.  It took a while for information to arrive, and just as long for the reply.

The arrival of friends with personal information, who have a personal relationship with the friends back home and can answer questions—yes, their arrival would surely refresh one’s spirit.

Application:   What a different day in which we live!  I remember trying to carry on a conversation with Sharon via two-way radio from Viet Nam to Kansas, USA.  That was a big improvement from Paul’s day, but a long way from what we have today!

After years of messages sent through prophets and written in scrolls which were available to just a few, God sent His Son, Jesus!  God knows that nothing is better than the arrival of a friend who can answer questions.

And today, God is sending me with a personal message from God to someone needing to hear what He has to say.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, speak through me today.  May someone hear a personal message from you through me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

March 30, 2018: SOAP #3039: Judges 8; Psalm 42; 1Corinthians 15

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Observation:  What a fitting close to a chapter that begins with Christ’s resurrection and ends with our resurrection.  Because of what Jesus has done for us (past). and because of what Jesus is going to do in us (future), verse 58 above tells me how I should live now (present):

Remain steady.  Do not let anything discourage you.  Make working for the Lord your one passion.  It will be worth it all when we see Jesus!

Application:   I am doubly amazed!  What the Lord has done (past) for me amazes me.  What the Lord is going to do (future) in me amazes me!  Living my life (present) as described in verse 58 above is my logical response to God who loves me.

Prayer:    Jesus, what you did for me, and what you have planned for my future amaze me.  I need you to live in me today, in the present.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

March 29, 2018: SOAP #3038: Judges 6-7; Psalm 52; 1Corinthians 14

Scripture:  Judges (NIV) 7:7 The LORD said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the other men go, each to his own place.”

Observation:  From the human point of view, Gideon’s 300 men could never hope to defeat “the Midianites, the Amalekites, and the other eastern people.” (verse 12).

Once the enemy was fleeing, others came and joined in the battle, but God used the 300 to get the victory started!   Gideon had to start with just 300!

Application:   What I have in my hand has never been enough to bring about God’s will?  I have never had enough to accomplish God’s will.  Yet, God often uses what I have in my hand to accomplish His will.  To put off doing what I am convinced is the Lord’s will because I simply do not have enough resources—that just leads to defeat.  I must move out in obedience and faith, depending on God’s all-sufficiency!   (The key is knowing what God has said, and not just moving out because it looks like a good thing to do.)

Jesus’ mother, Mary, said it so simply:  “Do whatever he tells you.”  (John 2:5)

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, those who hear your voice and do what you say can be assured of your provision.  You are amazing!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

March 28, 2018: SOAP #3037: Judges 4-5; Psalm 39, 41; 1Corinthians 13

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 13:4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

Observation:   Love has a source of joy.  Love’s joy is found in truth.   It finds no joy in evil.

Application:   I need to pay attention to what brings me joy.  It is not just being joyful but discovering the source of my joy.  What makes me smile?

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, may the things that bring you joy, bring me joy.  And may the things that cause you pain, cause me pain.  Holy Spirit, during the next few days, cause me to stop and consider what makes me happy.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

March 27, 2018: SOAP #3036: Judges 1-3; 1Corinthians 12

Scripture:  Judges (NIV) 2:15 Whenever Israel went out to fight, the hand of the LORD was against them to defeat them, just as he had sworn to them. They were in great distress. 16 Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders.

Observation:  Why was God angry with the people He had chosen for His own–people through whom He would send Jesus to be the Savior of the world?   He was angry and let their enemies defeat them because He is a Promise Keeper.  God had blessed them AS HE HAD PROMISED and given them the land in which they had now settled.  Now God is punishing them AS HE HAS PROMISED because they refused to honor and obey Him.  God was being true to who He is!

Application:   God is still true to who He is!   It is good to be God’s people when we obey Him and walk in His blessings.  He has so many ways to bless His people! On the other hand, it is tough to be God’s people when we dishonor Him and walk in His anger.  He has so many ways to discipline His children.

Because of the sin of slavery, God punished this nation that claimed that “all men were created equal” and were “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.”  He sent a civil war among us.  God was keeping His promise.  We have now “legally” aborted 60,000,000 babies that carry the image of our Creator.  How can anyone think that the Great Promise Keeper will not hold us accountable.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, it is your character to keep your promises!  Be merciful to us; we have sinned greatly.  Forgive us and use us again for your glory, we pray.  Raise up 1,000, no 10,000 Billy Grahams to call us to repentance and back to you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

March 26, 2018: SOAP #3035: Joshua 23-24; Psalm 44; 1Corinthians 11

Scripture:  Joshua (NIV) 23:8 But you are to hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have until now. 9 “The LORD has driven out before you great and powerful nations; to this day no-one has been able to withstand you. 10 One of you routs a thousand, because the LORD your God fights for you, just as he promised. 11 So be very careful to love the LORD your God.

Observation:    Joshua was giving a farewell address to Israel.  He recognized the source of their victories.  Israel could never have conquered the Promised Land unless their God had kept His promises and given it to them.  On their own, Israel would have been unable to win such great victories.

Scripture:  Joshua (NIV) 23:15 [Joshua continues…] But just as every good promise of the LORD your God has come true, so the LORD will bring on you all the evil he has threatened, until he has destroyed you from this good land he has given you. 16 If you violate the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, the LORD’s anger will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from the good land he has given you.”

Observation: Joshua is faithful to Israel, faithful to remind them of God’s other promises.  God had kept His promise to give them the Promised Land; He would also keep His promise to remove them if they sinned.

Application:   Israel’s God is my God.  He alone is God.  There are no other gods.  His promises are true.  He promises to bless those who follow His will.  He promises to punish those who forsake Him.  He remains true to ALL his promises.  I need to know ALL His promises!

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, help me remember ALL your promises!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

March 25, 2018: SOAP #3034: Joshua 21-22; Psalm 47; 1Corinthians 10

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 10:15 I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.
16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?
17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.

Observation:  Jesus claimed to be the bread of life (John 6:35,48).  Whoever takes the communion bread and cup into their physical bodies is testifying that Jesus lives in in them.  He is the source of their spiritual life.

Even though we have many differences, everyone who has the life of Jesus within them is a part of a single body.  We are all a part of one body.  We have all eaten of the bread of life.

Application:  The challenge for me, and for all of us, is to bring our physical, daily lives in line with this spiritual truth.  Those who have Jesus, the bread of life, in their lives are a part of the body of Christ.  I need to be more aware of those around me who love you.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, continually remind me of your children around me.  Use me to encourage them.  May your love and joy reach to them through me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

March 24, 2018: SOAP #3033: Joshua 18-20; 1Corinthians 9

Scripture:  Joshua (NIV) 18:1 The whole assembly of the Israelites gathered at Shiloh and set up the Tent of Meeting there. The country was brought under their control, 2 but there were still seven Israelite tribes who had not yet received their inheritance. 3 So Joshua said to the Israelites: “How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you?

Observation:   The big battles had been won and the country was under Israel’s control.  But seven of the twelve tribes had not claimed their personal inheritance, moved into their land, and made it theirs.  They had been living in the wilderness for 40 years, now it seemed they were willing to continue “wilderness” living in the promised land!!!

They did not need to live in tents any longer.  They could build and move into homes.  They could plant gardens.  They could develop communities.  Perhaps they had become too accustom to living in the wilderness.

Application:   Jesus won the “big battle” for me on the cross.  He defeated Satan and secured my salvation.  As the Israelites needed to learn how to live in the Promised Land, I need to learn how to live in the Kingdom!  I need to study to apply God’s Word to my daily life.  I need to re-program my mind to think and talk Kingdom truth.  I need to stretch my faith to be stronger this year than it was last year.  None of this “wilderness living” in the Promised land for me!

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, put a check in my heart when I start thinking and talking like I am still living in the world.  With your help, I want to think, and talk, and live every moment like you are with me.  …for you really are!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

March 23, 2018: SOAP #3032: Joshua 15-17; 1Corinthians 8

Scripture:  Joshua (NIV) 17:9 Then the boundary continued south to the Kanah Ravine. There were towns belonging to Ephraim lying among the towns of Manasseh, but the boundary of Manasseh was the northern side of the ravine and ended at the sea. 10 On the south the land belonged to Ephraim, on the north to Manasseh. The territory of Manasseh reached the sea and bordered Asher on the north and Issachar on the east.

Observation:   This portion of the book of Joshua records the boundaries of the land assigned to each tribe.  The boundaries defined their possession and their responsibility.

Application:   Along with God’s assignments come boundaries.  I am responsible for that within my boundaries and I can have faith for God’s help.  My family, my ministry, and my community help me define my boundaries.  The Holy Spirit works to clarify those boundaries.  Moving outside the boundaries God has given me finds me struggling in my own strength and wisdom.  I am setting myself up for failure.  But, as I am faithful within my assigned boundaries, God often enlarges my assigned boundaries.

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, help me understand the boundaries assigned to me.  I know I can count on your help, your wisdom, your strength, your provision as I faithfully minister within the boundaries you have assigned me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!